Intervertebral implants with attachable flanges and methods of use

Abstract

Vertebral implants for spacing apart vertebral members. The implants may include a spacer with a first side and a second side that contact the vertebral members. A sidewall may extend between the first and second sides. Two or more mounts are positioned along the sidewall. A flange may be connected to the spacer at the mounts. The flange extends beyond one or both of the first and second sides to position the spacer relative to the vertebral members. In some embodiments, the spacer further includes one or more insertion features that facilitate insertion of the spacer between the vertebral members.

1. A vertebral implant to space apart vertebral members comprising:
 a spacer including superior and inferior sides configured to contact the vertebral members and a sidewall that extends between the superior and inferior sides; 
 a first insertion feature to facilitate insertion of the spacer between the vertebral members in a first direction, the first insertion feature being oriented towards a first section of the sidewall; 
 a second insertion feature to facilitate insertion of the spacer between the vertebral members in a second direction, the second insertion feature being oriented towards a second section of the sidewall that is positioned about 90 degrees away from the first section of the sidewall; 
 a first mount located on the first section of the sidewall; 
 a second mount located on the second section of the sidewall and spaced away from the first mount; 
 a flange adapted to attach to the spacer at one of the first mount and the second mount, the flange including an inner side that abuts against at least one of the vertebral members to maintain the position of the spacer relative to the vertebral members; 
 wherein the first insertion feature comprises a tapered section that extends from a central area of the spacer to the first section of the sidewall to form a reduced height. 
 
     
     
       2. The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the first insertion feature comprises a plurality of teeth that each includes an angled edge that faces towards the first section of the sidewall. 
     
     
       3. The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the flange includes a greater height than the spacer. 
     
     
       4. The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second mounts include apertures sized to receive an extension that extends outward from the inner side of the flange. 
     
     
       5. The implant of  claim 4 , wherein the extension comprises a base and a head, the head including a greater width than the base and the apertures, the head further being deformable to thereby reduce the width during insertion. 
     
     
       6. The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the flange includes a triangular shape with a first end that extends beyond the superior side and a second end that extends beyond the inferior side when the flange is attached to the spacer. 
     
     
       7. The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the first mount is different than the second mount. 
     
     
       8. A vertebral implant to space apart vertebral members comprising:
 a spacer including first and second sides configures to contact the vertebral members and a sidewall that extends between the first and second sides; 
 a first set of teeth aligned in a first row on the first surface with each of the teeth having a ramped surface that face in a first direction to facilitate insertion of the spacer between the vertebral members; 
 a second set of teeth aligned in a second row on the first surface with each of the teeth having a ramped surface that face in a second direction to facilitate insertion of the spacer between the vertebral members; 
 a first mount extending into the sidewall at a first position with a first straight line extending through each of the ramped surfaces of the first set of teeth in the first row also extending through the first mount; 
 a second mount extending into the sidewall at a second position with a second straight line extending through each of the ramped surfaces of the second set of teeth in the second row also extending through the second mount; and 
 a flange including an extension adapted to connect to either of the first and second mounts with an inner side of the flange contacting against at least one of the vertebral members. 
 
     
     
       9. The implant of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second mounts are positioned on opposing sides of the spacer. 
     
     
       10. The implant of  claim 8 , wherein the spacer further comprises a central aperture that extends through the spacer with the first and second sets of teeth being aligned on opposing sides of the aperture, each of the first and second straight lines extending through the central aperture.